Food briefs: Utah distillery, chef in running for the James Beard awards

By Kathy Stephenson The Salt Lake Tribune

Published February 26, 2013 7:31 pm

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This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

High West Distillery & Saloon, in Park City, and its chef James Dumas, are semifinalists for a 2013 James Beard Foundation Award. The Park City Distillery is among 25 establishments selected for the "Outstanding Bar Program," while Dumas is one of 22 selected for the "Best Chef: Southwest" honor. Viet Pham and Bowman Brown, co-owners/chefs at Forage, in Salt Lake City, join Dumas as a nominee in the best Southwest chef category. The James Beard Awards are considered the nation's top honor for professionals in the food and beverage industry. Finalists in each category will be announced on March 18 and the winners will be honored May 6 in New York City.

Cucina Deli open for dinner

Cucina Deli in Salt Lake City's Avenues neighborhood has always been a favorite spot for breakfast and lunch. Now, it's a place to enjoy dinner. Owner Dean Pierose recently updated the building and added an evening menu filled with Mediterranean comfort foods, such as country-style pork ribs with beans, slow-cooked beef stew, fresh pasta and a rotating chicken special. Prices average $12. For those who want something lighter, there are dinner-size salads for $8-$14 and tapas for $4-$10. Wine and beer also are available.

Jorge Fierro, owner of the Rico Brand and Frida Bistro restaurant, received the award for community service during the 2013 Dining Awards sponsored by Salt Lake magazine. Aristos Greek Restaurant was inducted into the magazine's dining Hall of Fame, while the Heirloom Restaurant Group in Provo, which includes Pizzeria 712, Communal and Mountain West Burrito, received the Green Fork Environmental Award. In all, the magazine honored 30 different restaurants and chefs and handed out 22 readers choice awards. For a full list of winners, visit saltlakemagazine.com or pick up a copy of the March/April magazine on newsstands March 1.

CSA events

Meet local farmers and learn more about joining a Community Supported Agriculture programs during open house events this week in Davis and Salt Lake Counties. Both events are sponsored by CSA-Utah.

"A Place At The Table," a new food documentary that exposes food insecurity in America, will screen in Salt Lake City. Directors Kristi Jacobson and Lori Silverbush, the same producers of "Food, Inc.," follow three people who are struggling with food insecurity. Their stories are interwoven with insights from experts, ordinary citizens and activists, including Top Chef's Tom Colichio and Oscar-winning actor Jeff Bridges.

When • Opens Friday, March 1

Where • Broadway Centre Cinemas, 111 E. Broadway, Salt Lake City

Details • takepart.com/place-at-the-table

Diabetes expo

Bobby Deen, host of the Cooking Channel's "Not My Mama's Meals," is the featured chef at the annual Salt Lake City Diabetes Expo, sponsored by the American Diabetes Association and Harmons Grocery stores. Deen will give a cooking demonstration at 10 a.m. at the day-long event, which also includes health screenings, cooking demonstrations, product and exhibitors. Health experts will be available to answer questions about diabetes management, weight loss and new technology.

When • Saturday, March 2, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where • South Towne Exposition Center, 9575 South State, Sandy

Cost • Free admission and parking

Details • For a full list of times and events, visit diabetes.org/saltlakecityexpo.

Gardening classes

Wasatch Community Gardens is sponsoring two class on Saturday, March 2 to help you gardeners ready for spring. Participants in the Organic Gardening course will learn about healthy soil, crop rotation, compost, natural pest control, crop diversity, companion planting, and when and what to plant. Year-round gardening class offers tips on how to plant and grow with the seasons.

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